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Originally published in Massage Bodywork magazine, February/March 2004. -Copyright 2003. Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. All rights reserved.
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PRP Hair Loss Therapy

At The Coliseum MediClinic, we perform PRP therapy as a proactive therapeutic option for male and female patients experiencing hair loss. PRP is an exciting non-surgical therapeutic option for patients who require stimulation of hair growth for hair loss conditions. Recent scientific research and technology provides the medical community with new understandings of wound and tissue healing. As a result of these scientific studies, we know PRP is an all-natural medical procedure performed in physicians offices for hair loss or conditions causing hair thinning. In a recent study published in Dermatologic Surgery, physicians in Korea published data supporting the clinical application of PRP in hair restoration.

PRP Hair Rejuvenation is an all natural hair treatment with no side effects. We use state of the art technique delivering PRP Therapy treatment for various forms of androgenic hair loss in both men and women. PRP Therapy is recognized as one of the most effective treatments for thinning hair. Please note: PRP Therapy does not benefit every type of hair loss and an initial comprehensive consultation is required to see if PRP Therapy will benefit you.

How does PRP Work

Human blood contains mesenchymal stem cells and autologous blood products that contain essential and specific growth factors that assist in accelerating tissue regeneration and healing. Published medical literature from Europe and the United States confirms the safety and use of PRP therapy. PRP therapy has established itself to be effective as a medical treatment modality in the specialty fields of oral surgery, neurosurgery, plastic and cosmetic surgery, sports medicine and orthopedics. It has been used extensively in these specialties for the last two decades with generally positive outcomes and success. In the field of hair restoration, existing evidence demonstrates PRP therapy as a promising treatment option to promote hair growth.

While PRP is in the early stages of scientific research in hair restoration, PRP is not meant to replace current FDA approved therapies such as DHT blockers and Minoxidil. but it is a promising non-surgical therapeutic option for those patients with hair loss.

The procedure begins with a small volume of the patient’s blood being drawn and then prepared by centrifuging it to separate and concentrate the platelets into the plasma. This powerful serum (Platelet Rich Plasma) is drawn into a syringe containing calcium chloride, which activates the platelets. Activated platelets release growth factors, the proteins responsible for repair and regeneration of tissue, including hair, theoretically stimulating the stem cells located in the Dermal Papilla as well as other structures of the hair follicle These special Platelet cells promote healing, accelerate the rate and degree of tissue healing and regeneration, response of the body to injury, and formation of new cellular growth. The primary purpose of using PRP in hair restoration is to stimulate inactive or newly implanted hair follicles into an active growth phase. Inside the Platelets are many intracellular structures such as glycogen, lysosomes and alpha granules. These granules within the PRP contain clotting and growth factors that are eventually released during the healing and repair process. The activated platelets are then introduced to the affected area by fine needle injection.

Insulin Like Growth Factor - (IGF)—a regulator of normal physiology in nearly every type of cell in the body.

The entire procedure takes approximately one hour

Results are not immediate and may take 3-6 weeks to notice hair thickening. 2-4 treatments, 4-8 weeks apart are generally required.

Patients report a high degree of tolerability, but for those patients that are sensitive or apprehensive, a local anesthetic can be used to reduce the sensation.

What is hair made of?

Hair is primarily made up of a sulfur rich protein called Keratin. Keratin is made from a combination of amino acids and micro nutrient cofactors. Important nutrients for healthy hair formation include: Sulphur, Biotin, Iron, Copper, Lysine, Zinc, Manganese, Lysine, Proline, Vitamin D, and B vitamins.

How Does Hair Grow?

Hair grows from the base of the follicle, known as the bulb. The Bulb is supplied with nutrients from the body via tiny blood vessels. The cells of the bulb divide rapidly which results in 0.3 mm to 0.4mm of hair growth above the scalp, per day. The bulb and hair follicle are susceptible to subtle changes in their environment. Hormonal changes, chemicals, stress, and poor nutrition will significantly impact the rate of division and quality of cells being produced.

Hair growth follows three stages: anagen, catagen, and telogen. At any given time, a random number of hairs will be in one of three stages of growth and shedding.

Anagen is the active growth phase. The cells in the root of the hair are dividing rapidly. A new hair is formed and pushes the old hair, or the hair that has stopped growing, up and out. During this phase the hair grows approximately 1 cm a month. Scalp hair stays in this active phase of growth for two to six years. About 85% of the hairs are in the anagen phase at any given time. The longer the hair stays in the anagen phase, the longer the hair can grow. Individuals that have difficulty growing their hair long, tend to have a shorter anagen phase.

Catagen phase is a transitional stage and about 3% of all hairs are in this phase at any time. This phase lasts for about two to three weeks. Signals are sent out to stop growth. The hair follicle shrinks and blood flow is diminished. The follicle detaches from the bulb, allowing the bulb to rest.

Telogen is the resting phase and usually accounts for 10-15% of all head hairs. This phase lasts for about 3 months for hairs on the scalp and longer for hairs on the eyebrow, eyelash, arm, and leg. During this phase, the hair bulb is completely at rest and the club hair is completely formed. This phase is known as the “shedding phase”. The hair, separated from the base and nutrient supply will eventually be pushed out by the newly forming follicle and hair beneath it.

How do Hormones Affect Hair?

Estrogen: can stimulate new hair growth and extend the anagen phase. Hair thinning in women generally becomes noticeable around menopause and in conditions like PCOS where female hormones are lower and androgens elevated.

Progesterone: This hormone helps keep your hair thick and full by counteracting, or inhibiting, the effects of 5-alpha reductase, which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is a strong testosterone and is responsible for hair miniaturiziation seen in androgenetic hair thinning.

Dihydrostetosterone (DHT): This hormone is the main culprit of hair thinning and loss.

PRP therapy as a compliment to a nonsurgical approach for those patients who are not eligible for surgery or who want to delay hair restoration surgery. As a non-surgical treatment option, we recommend PRP therapy along with Minoxidil and DHT blockers or for those patients who can not tolerate or have side effects with these medications.

PRP therapy offers a promising alternative for natural hair growth for those patients who are not candidates for surgery. It also is a beneficial therapy for surgical patients who want PRP therapy as a complimentary procedure at the same time hair restoration surgery with either automated FUE or the STRIP procedure.

Whether you are looking for additional hair stimulation, or are looking to have hair surgery with the addition of PRP, The Coliseum MediClinic is able to meet your needs. Although results will vary from patient to patients, PRP as a non-surgical option, offers patients with miniaturization and hair thinning improvement in hair caliber and thickness.